Ryan Knopp

Reviews

| 2021

Season 2:

This season builds on the foundation laid in the first season, delving deeper into Allison’s story and the world around her. The show’s use of genre-shifting continues to be an excellent feature, as Allison’s reality shifts from 90’s sitcom to drama depending on her mental state. The exploration of trauma and power dynamics adds depth to the characters and themes, and the addition of new characters and plotlines keeps the show feeling fresh and exciting. Annie Murphy’s performance continues to be a standout, delivering both the humor and the emotional weight of her character’s journey.

Season 1:

November 30, 2021

“Kevin Can F*** Himself” is a captivating and inventive show that masterfully blends a nostalgic 90’s sitcom with a bleak and raw drama. The series revolves around Allison, a fed-up wife who dreams of killing her obnoxious and chauvinistic husband, Kevin. The show explores the gender dynamics and societal pressures that impact Allison’s life, all while deftly transitioning between the idyllic and formulaic sitcom world and the grittier and more realistic one. The concept is intriguing and the execution is seamless, thanks to the excellent performances and sharp writing. Season 1 sets the stage for a thrilling and unpredictable ride, leaving viewers eager for more. Overall, “Kevin Can F*** Himself” is a must-watch for those seeking a fresh and provocative take on the sitcom genre.

| 2019

Season 2

Season 2 continues to explore the aftermath of the sexual misconduct scandal and how it has affected the characters. The season introduces a new character, played by Julianna Margulies, who adds an interesting dynamic to the mix. The writing and performances remain strong, and the show continues to tackle relevant issues with nuance and depth. While the second season is not quite as impactful as the first, it is still a worthy continuation of the story.

Season 1

December 3, 2020

This show is a compelling drama series that delves into the aftermath of a “me too” incident involving a high-profile news anchor. The show sheds light on the dynamics of power within the television industry, particularly how the networks’ advertising and ownership can influence the content and direction of their programming. The narrative is well-crafted, presenting the perspectives of both men and women in a nuanced and thought-provoking way. The show is a testament to the complexity of human emotions and relationships, making for a truly dynamic viewing experience. The acting performances are stellar, bringing a sense of authenticity and depth to the characters. Overall, “The Morning Show” is an intriguing and engaging watch.

| 2011-2021

Shameless is a 10-season-long TV show that I loved watching from start to finish. Each season was great in its own way, and I can’t really say that any of them were bad. Watching the Gallagher kids grow up and dealing with their unique problems was like watching a car crash in slow motion - you know it’s not good, but you just can’t look away. The consistency of the cast over the entire 10 seasons was amazing, making it feel like a real family affair. With the perfect balance of humor, drama, and real-life issues, Shameless is a reflection of real life - if real life involved stealing cars, fighting with siblings, and raising a baby at 12 years old. It’s definitely not a show for the young ones, so make sure they’re safely tucked in bed before hitting play.

| 2018

Season 3:

This season of Manifest was a bit better than Season 2 but not as good as Season 1. They went back to the Season 1 style of the show, but it’s still a little slow. I feel like this show could drag on forever now as they still seem to look for clues of the wreck. It’s like they close one storyline but three more pop up. I will probably watch Season 4, it’s still interests me enough to keep going.

Season 1 and 2:

August 17, 2021

This shows premise reminds me a lot like the show Lost and it seems to even follow the train wreck that Lost did in quality. The first season of Manifest was pretty good then the second season showed up and the writers didn’t really seem to know what to do with it. The acting isn’t that great either in this show, some of it is very cringe worthy. Not sure if I’ll watch Season 3 yet, it’s currently not available for me.

| 2015-2020

Schitt’s Creek is a hilarious show that I highly recommend for those who enjoy comedies. The show follows a wealthy family who suddenly lose everything and are forced to move to a small town and live in a hotel. While the show spans 5 seasons, some of the best moments are in the first few seasons. The humor comes from the drastic lifestyle change the family experiences and their interactions with the quirky townspeople. The chemistry between the characters is excellent and the comedic timing is spot on. If you’re looking for a lighthearted and funny show to watch, Schitt’s Creek is definitely worth checking out.

| 2016 | Written by Mark Schatzker

This book talks about how flavor in raw products like chickens have been breed out over time as we need to mass produce these products. So, then we create spices to fix this. It’s a very fascinating topic and found it very intriguing. I changed my buying habit a bit after reading this book. I hope society sees this and industries change but as people want cheaper foods flavor tends to go out the window. The author does a very good job talking about what happen over time and he also suggests a solution to fix this problem.

| 2021 | Directed by Chris McKay

Action was awesome, the basic plot concept was interesting, it was fast paced, tense and very exciting. The effects are cool but at times seems a bit gimmicky. The plot itself had so many holes in it that you could drive a semi thru. So much of it didn’t make sense and it kind of distracted from the movie. I feel like they had a high-level idea of the plot (which was an incredible concept) but didn’t have the resources or the ideas to put it together correctly. If you like action, I definitely recommend it. If you want a bullet proof story with this action, then you should pass.

| 2021 | Written by Andy Weir

This book was amazing. I think it’s on par with the Martian which was also written by the same author. It grabs you at the beginning and gives you a nice ride through out. Relationships and lifesaving decisions really keeps you on your toe. He’s really detailed with the physics and how things work which make it very understandable. It’s like you are also getting taught physics as you are reading the book. If you like soft sci-fi and saving the planet then you should read this.

| 2021 | Directed by Enrico Casarosa

Pixar hit it out of the park again. This movie reminded me a bit of The Little Mermaid. The storyline kind of follows it a bit but with different twists along the way. This movie is meant for all ages, and everyone will understand it. It has a very good message about being different and changing people’s mind. Totally recommend it and will watch it again. This movie reminds me of the old Pixar if that makes any sense.

| 2021 | Written by Keith C. Blackmore

This is another great addition to the Mountain Man series. Like I mention in the previous review. I like the character writing, and the Gus and Collie pair seems to be nailing it. I can see Blackmore ending the story here but then I can also see it continue. Do yourself a favor and start reading the series with book 1 Mountain Man .